K12’s 2018 Poetry Contest: Write About Your Hometown

“Writing and reading poetry is a rewarding endeavor for any age that has a myriad of benefits. Using poetry as a tool in children’s education is helpful, and is a fun literacy-strengthening activity that can help children learn in a different way.

National Poetry Month is celebrated every April, and it gives us an opportunity to read and appreciate poetry. K12 Inc. honors National Poetry Month every year by hosting an annual poetry contest that gives students around the globe a chance to share their poetic talent.

Last year, students were challenged to compose a piece about their hobbies. Some students wrote about playing a sport, and other students composed a piece about riding a skateboard. Some shared their hobby through a haiku, and others wrote a ballad. Students from around the world rose to the challenge and sent in amazing and inspirational examples of their many hobbies.

This year, the theme is “hometown.” Where are you from? Will you describe the sight of city lights that ignite your soul or the smell of honeysuckle in the summertime? Will you write a poem about feeling at home with ocean waves crashing against your skin, or hearing the distant chimes of the old clock tower on Main Street? Will you script a poem about the taste of the ice cream from the county fair, or the steaming cocoa when you come in from the cold? The possibilities are endless. Wherever you’re from, let your hometown be your guide for your contest entry. Send us your five-line stanza, limerick, or any poetry style that you prefer. You can write one poem or five poems about your hometown—as long as it’s original!

Here are some important details to know about K12’s Poetry Contest:

It’s open to all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Students who are 13 years of age or younger will need their parents to submit on their behalf. Parents, please note in the submission’s text that you are submitting for your child.

Submissions MUST be related to their hometown.

Poems must be original. Plagiarism will result in disqualification.

Poems should be 200 words or less.

Video files should be no longer than one minute.

A first, second, and third place winner will be chosen for each grade, and they will receive:

First Place: trophy, poetry journal, and their choice of a poetry book

Second Place: trophy and a poetry journal

Third Place: trophy

Each and every student who submits their creative composition about their hometown will receive a certificate of participation.

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Brittany Marklin is a contributing writer for Learning Liftoff and a community manager for K12. She coordinates all K12 student contests and connects with families who pursue online education. She attended George Mason University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, with a minor in tourism and events management. Brittany spent her first five years at K12 on the social media team where she aided with content and strategy for multiple channels, and helped construct K12’s user-generated content site, “What’s Your Story?” When she’s not working, Brittany loves spending time with her husband and daughter in North Carolina.